AStArt Technologies
Advanced State of the Art
Computer And Network Technologies

LPRng Web Page

Patrick Powell `<papowell@astart.com>` LPRng Author

(Updated Aug 26, 1999)

LISA98 Printing and Network Print Spoolers Tutorial in PowerPoint Format

LPRng HOWTO FAQ Available In PostScript Version

LPRng - An Enhanced Printer Spooler

The LPRng software is an enhanced, extended, and portable implementation of the Berkeley LPR print spooler functionality. While providing the same interface and meeting RFC1179 requirements, the implementation is completely new and provides support for the following features: lightweight (no databases needed) lpr, lpc, and lprm programs; dynamic redirection of print queues; automatic job holding; highly verbose diagnostics; multiple printers serving a single queue; client programs do not need to run SUID root; greatly enhanced security checks; and a greatly improved permission and authorization mechanism.

The source software compiles and runs on a wide variety of UNIX systems, and is compatible with other print spoolers and network printers that use the LPR interface and meet RFC1179 requirements.

IFHP Filter and FILTERS Collection

The companion IFHP filter package (ftp://ftp.astart.com/pub/LPRng/FILTERS/ifhp-stable.tgz and ftp://ftp.astart.com/pub/LPRng/FILTERS/ifhp-latest.tgz ) provides support for for PostScript and HP printers, as well as the usual 'dumb' printers. The PostScript and HP filters do page counting and produce accounting information accounting as well as monitoring printer conditions. The FILTERS collection (ftp://ftp.astart.com/pub/LPRng/FILTERS) has a selection of filter packages that support a wide range of printing functionality.

SVR4 LP and LPSTAT Emulation

LPRng provides emulation packages for the SVR4 lp and lpstat programs, eliminating the need for another print spooler package. These emulation packages can be modified according to local requirements, in order to support vintage printing systems.

Security and Authentication

For users that require secure and/or authenticated printing support, LPRng supports Kerberos V, MIT Kerberos IV Print Support, and PGP authentication. LPRng is being adopted by MIT for use as their Campus Wide printing support system. Additional authentication support is extremely simple to add.

Licensing and Commercial Support

LPRng is Open Source Software, and the current public distribution is available from the listed FTP and Web Sites. LPRng is distributed under an extremely liberal license agreement. Individuals, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations may freely use the software, and can be distributed without charge. Licenses and support agreements for corporations, government organizations, and other sponsors may be obtained from AStArt Technologies, which provides commercial support and enhancements for the LPRng and other network software. AStArt provides network and system consulting services for UNIX and NT systems, as well as real time and network software.